Keys bound for Christmas vacation

spareparts

spareparts

God
Originally we were planning on going back to Kitty Hawk for Christmas vacation. the place we've stayed at is owned by an elderly couple who we know thru my in laws. They used to baby sit my sister in law when my wife's family lived in Newport News(before my wife was born). My in laws have always kept in touch with them over the years and they've always offered to let them use their house at Kitty hawk, we asked and they said yes . We've stayed there twice and loved it. We asked last spring when we visited them in Va Beach if we could use it over the holidays this year and they said yes. Well, my mother in law told my wife yesterday that they called and said their niece wanted to use it over the holidays and since she was family, they told her OK, so now we were out of vacation plans two months away. Its their house and they can do what they want, but its still pretty crappy to do that to us(we won't ask again). So my wife and I have been trying to come up with a better vacation plan. We talked about a cruise, talked about the mountains, but we kept coming back to the idea of the Keys. we got conformation of a house rental on Marathon for the week after Christmas today. Looks like we are headed to Fla for the vacation. (Sorry Lee) So here's my dilemma. I've got the 16 McKee ready for the water, just haven't taken it out. Its a 13 hour drive from here to Marathon. The rental house is on a canal, has kayaks available at the house for use. Do I trailer the McKee with me all the way, knowing it could complicate the trip(trailer issues, gas mileage, etc...) or do i just wing it and go with whats there when we get there. I've never been there before and don't know anything about the area as far as boating goes. Am i going to get my self in trouble boating around there? Should I be satisfied with an easy way out and just use the kayaks? Its supposed to be relaxing after all. I don't want to have to deal with a bunch of issues with having a boat there, but i don't want to walk around *****ing that I wish I had my boat with me. Any input?
 
spareparts said:
Originally we were planning on going back to Kitty Hawk for Christmas vacation. the place we've stayed at is owned by an elderly couple who we know thru my in laws. They used to baby sit my sister in law when my wife's family lived in Newport News(before my wife was born). My in laws have always kept in touch with them over the years and they've always offered to let them use their house at Kitty hawk, we asked and they said yes . We've stayed there twice and loved it. We asked last spring when we visited them in Va Beach if we could use it over the holidays this year and they said yes. Well, my mother in law told my wife yesterday that they called and said their niece wanted to use it over the holidays and since she was family, they told her OK, so now we were out of vacation plans two months away. Its their house and they can do what they want, but its still pretty crappy to do that to us(we won't ask again). So my wife and I have been trying to come up with a better vacation plan. We talked about a cruise, talked about the mountains, but we kept coming back to the idea of the Keys. we got conformation of a house rental on Marathon for the week after Christmas today. Looks like we are headed to Fla for the vacation. (Sorry Lee) So here's my dilemma. I've got the 16 McKee ready for the water, just haven't taken it out. Its a 13 hour drive from here to Marathon. The rental house is on a canal, has kayaks available at the house for use. Do I trailer the McKee with me all the way, knowing it could complicate the trip(trailer issues, gas mileage, etc...) or do i just wing it and go with whats there when we get there. I've never been there before and don't know anything about the area as far as boating goes. Am i going to get my self in trouble boating around there? Should I be satisfied with an easy way out and just use the kayaks? Its supposed to be relaxing after all. I don't want to have to deal with a bunch of issues with having a boat there, but i don't want to walk around *****ing that I wish I had my boat with me. Any input?
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Ill shoot you a pm in the am and help solve your woes.
 
I say get a couple cheap spare tire and wheels off CL. Repack the trailer bearings, and bring an extra set. A 16 McKee cant be too detrimental to fuel mileage?
 
when Io went a few years back we got a charter and there are ton's of them!! I would go that way as they know the area and ill get you on the fish, with no fuss on your side, just fish and relax!
 
spare i have taken a 17 whaler to the keys and have taken the daydreamer twice!! yes its a long haul but there is nothing like having your boat there.we stayed in islamorada and went by water to the world wide sportsman and ate lunch ther,and watched all the boats coming and going. from where we were at we cut thru a mangrove cut to get there. also you can go to whale harbor in taviner. its on your right going back up. if you go at three-o-clock all the sportfishing boats are coming in and it is a tight basin.they have a bar that is up overlooking the marina.if you want to see some fancy boat docking thats the place those guys are good!!!take the boat :nice:
 
Don't worry about the tow my friend. Don't forget I used to tow my V20 from NJ to Naples, Fla twice a year without incident. Just have a spare tire or two, a tire repair kit, a 12v portable compressor, extra bearings, and a new tube of greese and you'll be fine. On an 18' footer you'll hardly know she's back there. Merry Christmas!!
 
Speaking of Christmas in the Keys...my family will be in Big Pine Key over Christmas vacation.

I am dragging the V behind the RV...you will have to come down and go fishing with us.
 
Sounds like a Merry Christmas in store for The Halls of Goose Creek!!...with or w/out the McKee...I know it's some extra $$ and effort, but w/all the opportunities you'll find yourself in the middle of, you'll be kicking yer own @$$ if ya don't...:sun:
 
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definately take your boat, little trouble now, but worth it when you get there. like destroyer said, grease your hubs , take a spare one, & a couple of spare tires. i always only took one tire until i had a blow out & needed it, then i spent 3 hours on & off the interstate looking for another. you could also trailer down to big pine & meet up with rmb, and go out to looe key or into the back country out by no name key.
 
Ive drug a few boats back and forth to the keys, take the McKee. Like every one else said, have your bearings and tires in good order, and check your springs, i had one crack while down there and its no fun paying fl keys west marine prices for one much less laying in the gravel changing it out when you could be enjoying yourself.
 
well, for no one to blame other than myself( I didn't finish it), I'm leaving the McKee here in SC next week, just had too much going on lately and was laid up all last week with the flu. we still plan to enjoy ourselves while we are there, and I'm still taking tackle. Randleman, give me a shout while you're down there (843) 532-9148
 
well we made in late last night(1:00 am), 755 miles from Goose Creek to Marathon. Did a quick walk aorund this morning, we're staying on a canal.Plenty of boats around. The home owners have a nice selection of kayaks in hte back yard, but unfurtunately, they are all locked up. Looks like I'm bank fishing for the week. I'll post up pics later.
 
Boats are readily available down there to rent, and I'm sure this time of year they would be willing to make a deal on a rental. Marathon area has al lkinds of fishing, and you can always go a little furthur down to Bahia Honda on the other side of the 7 mile bridge and walk out on the bridges and stuff.
 
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